Artificial track for skee-runners, sledges, and the like.



-PATENTED MAR. 6, 1906.

A. SGHUMANN. ARTIPIGIAL TRACK PoR sKRR RUNNERS, SLRDGRS, ANR THR LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAYS, 1905.

ALBERT SOHUMANN, OF BERLIN, GERMANY.

ARTIFICIAL TRACK FOR SKEE-RUNNERS, SLEDGES, AND THE LIKE.

l Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 6, 1906.

Application filed May 3, 1905. Serial No. 258.596.

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT SCHUMANN, councilor and circus director, a subject of the German Emperor, residing at No. 110 Friedrichstrasse, Berlin, in the Kingdom of Prussia and German Empire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in or Relating to Artificial Tracks for Skee- Runners, Sledges, and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a new or improved artiiicial track for lskee-runners, sledges, and the like, said track being substantially composed of two or more sections adapted to form an inclined trackway consisting partly or entirely of elastic resilient material in such a manner as to prevent accidents to performers, more particularly ac cidents due to misses in making leaps.

One form of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the annexed drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 2 a plan view, of the improved track.

In the form of construction illustrated the track comprises only a single stepg but it can of course be so constructed as to comprise a plurality of steps.

In the' case illustrated the track comprises two parts a and I), separated from each other by a gap or jump. To facilitate the clearing of the latter by the performer, the lower end of the upper track-section is upwardly curved, so that before the jump an upward direction is imparted to the performers skees or sledge and the gap is cleared by means of a curved leap, as indicated by the arrow c.

The track-sections d are preferably supported by suitable frames, the upper section being, for instance, constructed of wood and the lower section of elastic material, such as stretched fibrous or metallic fabric. The lower section can, however, also be constructed of boards provided with resilient covers or cushions, and the upper section can also be resilient, if desired.

In all cases it is desirable to render the surface of the track slippery by the application of a suitable substance, such as talcum, in order to allow of the movement of the sledge or skees without excessive friction. The upper track-section can, if desired, be rovided with guide-flanges or the like e, by w ich the performer is prevented from accidentally leaving the track in case the start has been made in a slanting direction. Guides of this kind are not required for the lower track-section.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

A track of the character described comprising an upper straight section and a lower straight vsection inclined relatively to one another and separated by a gap; the upper section being provided with a curved portion at its lower end and the lower section having its upper end located at a lower elevation than the deepest point of the curved end of the upper section; the lower section having a trackway formed exclusively of resilient elastic material.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature `1n presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT SCHUMANN.

Witnesses:

WOLDEMAR HAUPT, HENRY HAsPER. 

